Better Business Bureau Report for
Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies

Better Business Bureau Report issued August 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires August 2012


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies
Address: 610 S Michigan Ave
  Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: 312-322-1700
Web Address: www.spertus.edu
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Spertus College of Judaica

Year, State Incorporated: 1925, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Spertus is a Jewish institution grounded in Jewish values that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multi-faceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, locally, regionally and around the world.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has never completed an effectiveness assessment.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.spertus.edu, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • A summary of program service accomplishments.
  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Founded more than 80 years ago as Chicago’s College of Jewish Studies, Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies remains independent of any particular Jewish movement, and therefore enjoys a broad educational mandate that embraces the diverse spectrum of Jewish culture, philosophy, and practice. This inclusivity is mirrored in the Institute’s mission to foster a multifaceted understanding of the historical and contemporary Jewish experience among people of all backgrounds and faiths. In 2007, an innovative new Spertus building—designed by Chicago’s Krueck & Sexton Architects—was opened at 610 S. Michigan Avenue. The building features cutting-edge classroom, exhibition, and library spaces, as well as the 400-seat Feinberg Theater and state-of-the-art collections storage. In July 2009, Spertus named Dr. Hal M. Lewis, an expert on Jewish organizational leadership, its eighth president. Recognizing that learning is sparked through many points of entry, Spertus fosters leadership through degree programs and continuing education, and opens doors to an evolving world of Jewish culture through lectures, exhibitions, films, readings, and performances. At each point of entry, the full range and unique blend of Spertus resources (faculty and collections) are integrated into the learning process. Partnerships and collaborative relationships in the Jewish, academic, philanthropic, and cultural arenas further allow Spertus to serve as a portal for diverse learning opportunities.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Spertus Institute Of Jewish Studies's program expenses were:

  
Spertus College programs 2,321,774
Spertus Museum programs 2,064,533
Auxilary services 1,417,781
Asher Library programs 1,210,702
Total Program Expenses: $7,014,790
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Howard Sulkin, President and CEO
Compensation*:
$237,000

Chair of the Board: Donna E. Barrows
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Community Leader

Board Size: 29

Paid Staff Size: 39

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, membership
Fund raising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,940,031, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on Spertus Insititute Of Jewish Studies's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Grants 1,994,899
Gifts and Bequests 1,945,132
Tuition Revenue 957,687
Auxilary Services 768,983
Special Events 425,884
Interest and Dividend Income 206,387
Rental and Miscellaneous Services 185,034
Realized and unrealized losses -1,037,484
Total Income $5,446,522


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 68%  Fund Raising: 4%  Administrative: 10%  Other Expenses: 18%

Total income   $5,446,522
  Program expenses $7,014,790
  Fund raising expenses 371,208
  Administrative expenses 1,014,756
  Other Expenses 1,889,362
Total expenses   $10,290,116
Expenses in Excess of Income   (4,843,594)
Beginning net assets   21,758,732
Other Changes in Net Assets (880,968)
Ending net assets   16,034,170
Total liabilities   51,596,590
Total assets   $67,630,760


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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